On the edge of Steenbergen lies a silent giant from the past: Fort Henricus. Here, where polders and sluices meet, once stood one of the largest forts of the Southwestern Netherlands. Built in 1627 to protect the harbour and sluice of Steenbergen against Spanish troops, Fort Henricus grew into a strategic stronghold during the Dutch–Spanish war. Later, Steenbergen was once again put on alert by Napoleon himself.
Today, the fort is a place to relax and reflect on a turbulent history. Climb the lookout tower for a panoramic view over the polders, walk along the bastions and moats, or learn more through the reconstructions of hornworks and gateways. Fort Henricus is not only a monument, but also an experience for young and old, right in the middle of the landscape that once served as a frontline.
Fort Henricus is a tangible example of how water, war and landscape shaped each other. Its location near an important sluice made the fort a key element in the military strategy of the Republic. Here you can see how the delta landscape was not only a source of prosperity but also a battlefield; and how the landscape continues to preserve these stories to this day.